Manufactured for

AVENTIS BEHRING L.L.C.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406-1310

By Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Malmö, Sweden

Rx only

Stimate™ (desmopressin acetate) is a synthetic analogue of the natural pituitary hormone 8-arginine vasopressin (ADH), an antidiuretic hormone affecting renal water conservation. Stimate™ Nasal Spray contains 1.5 mg/mL desmopressin acetate in a pH-adjusted aqueous solution with chlorobutanol and sodium chloride as inactive ingredients. Stimate™ Nasal Spray' compression pump delivers 0.1 mL (150 µg) of solution per spray. It is chemically defined as follows:

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1-(3-mercaptopropionic acid)-8-D-arginine vasopressin monoacetate (salt) trihydrate. Stimate™ Nasal Spray is provided as an aqueous solution for intranasal use.

Each mL contains:

Desmopressin acetate         1.5 mg

Chlorobutanol                     5.0 mg

Sodium Chloride                 9.0 mg

Hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to approximately 4

Stimate™ Nasal Spray contains as active substance, desmopressin acetate, which is a synthetic analogue of the natural hormone arginine vasopressin. One spray or 0.1 mL (150 µg) of Stimate™ Nasal Spray solution has an antidiuretic activity of about 600 IU.

Desmopressin acetate has been shown to be more potent than arginine vasopressin in increasing plasma levels of Factor VIII activity in patients with hemophilia and von Willebrand' disease Type I.

Dose-response studies were performed in healthy persons using doses of 150 to 450 µg, administered as one to three sprays. The response to Stimate™ Nasal Spray is dose-related, with maximal plasma levels of 150 to 250 percent of initial concentrations achieved for both Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor [1]. The increase is rapid and evident within 30 minutes, reaching a maximum at about 1.5 hours [1].

The percentage increase of Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels in patients with mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease was not notably different from that observed in normal healthy individuals when treated with 300 µg of Stimate™ Nasal Spray [1-4]. In patients with von Willebrand' disease, levels of Factor VIII coagulant activity and von Willebrand factor antigen remained greater than 30 U/dL for 8 hours after a 300 µg dose of Stimate™ Nasal Spray [7]. After 300 µg of Stimate™ Nasal Spray , the percentage increase of Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels in patients with mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease was less than observed after 0.3 µg/kg of intravenous desmopressin acetate [2-4].

Plasminogen activator activity increases rapidly after intravenous desmopressin acetate infusion, but there has been no clinically significant fibrinolysis in patients treated with desmopressin acetate.

The effect of repeated intravenous desmopressin acetate administration when doses were given every 12 to 24 hours has generally shown a diminution of the Factor VIII activity increase noted after a single dose. It is possible to reproduce the initial response in some patients after an interval of one week, but other patients may require as long as 6 weeks [2,4,6].

The half-life of Stimate™ Nasal Spray was between 3.3 and 3.5 hours, over the range of intranasal doses, 150 to 450 µg [1]. Plasma concentrations of Stimate™ Nasal Spray were maximal approximately 40 to 45 minutes after dosing [1].

The bioavailability of Stimate™ Nasal Spray when administered by the intranasal route as a 1.5 mg/mL solution is between 3.3 and 4.1 percent [1].

The change in structure of arginine vasopressin to desmopressin acetate has resulted in a decreased vasopressor action and decreased actions on visceral smooth muscle relative to the enhanced antidiuretic activity, so that clinically effective antidiuretic doses are usually below threshold levels for effects on vascular or visceral smooth muscle.

Before the initial therapeutic administration of Stimate™ Nasal Spray , the physician should establish that the patient shows an appropriate change in the coagulation profile following a test dose of intranasal administration of Stimate™ Nasal Spray [2-4].

Desmopressin acetate is also available as a solution for injection (DDAVP® Injection) when the intranasal route may be compromised. These situations include nasal congestion and blockage, nasal discharge, atrophy of nasal mucosa, and severe atrophic rhinitis. Intranasal delivery may also be inappropriate where there is an impaired level of consciousness.

Hemophilia A

Stimate™ Nasal Spray is indicated for patients with hemophilia A with Factor VIII coagulant activity levels greater than 5%.

Desmopressin acetate will also stop bleeding in patients with hemophilia A with episodes of spontaneous or trauma-induced injuries such as hemarthroses, intramuscular hematomas or mucosal bleeding [2,3].

In the outpatient setting during two clinical trials where patients recorded bleeding episodes, Stimate™ Nasal Spray provided effective hemostasis 100% of the time in 2 of the 5 patients. For those patients not responding in 100% of bleeding occasions, 45% (14 of 31) of bleeding episodes were effectively controlled with Stimate™ Nasal Spray .

Desmopressin acetate is not indicated for the treatment of hemophilia A with Factor VIII coagulant activity levels equal to or less than 5%, or for the treatment of hemophilia B, or in patients who have Factor VIII antibodies.

von Willebrand's Disease (Type I)

Stimate™ Nasal Spray is indicated for patients with mild to moderate classic von Willebrand' disease (Type I) with Factor VIII levels greater than 5%.

Desmopressin acetate will also stop bleeding in mild to moderate von Willebrand' disease patients with episodes of spontaneous or trauma-induced injuries such as hemarthroses, intramuscular hematomas, mucosal bleeding or menorrhagia [2,3].

In the outpatient setting during two clinical trials where patients recorded bleeding episodes, Stimate™ Nasal Spray provided effective hemostasis 100% of the time in 75% of the patients (n=16). For those patients not responding in 100% of bleeding occasions, 78% (64 of 82) of bleeding episodes were effectively controlled with Stimate™ Nasal Spray .

Patients may respond in a variable fashion depending on the type of molecular defect they have. Bleeding time and Factor VIII coagulant activity, ristocetin cofactor activity, and von Willebrand factor antigen should be checked after initial administration of Stimate™ Nasal Spray to ensure that adequate levels have been achieved.

Stimate™ Nasal Spray is not indicated for the treatment of severe classic von Willebrand's disease (Type I) and when there is evidence of an abnormal molecular form of Factor VIII antigen. See WARNING .

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Stimate™ Nasal Spray is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to desmopressin acetate or to any of the components of Stimate™ Nasal Spray .

For intranasal use only.

Patients who do not have need of antidiuretic hormone for its antidiuretic effect, in particular those who are young or elderly, should be cautioned to ingest only enough fluid to satisfy thirst, in order to decrease the potential occurrence of water intoxication and hyponatremia.

Fluid intake should be adjusted downward, particularly in very young and elderly patients, in order to decrease the potential occurrence of water intoxication and hyponatremia [1]. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of the rare occurrence of an extreme decrease in plasma osmolality that may result in seizures which could lead to coma.

Stimate™ Nasal Spray should not be used to treat patients with Type IIB von Willebrand' disease since platelet aggregation may be induced.

PRECAUTIONS

General

Desmopressin acetate has infrequently produced changes in blood pressure causing either a slight elevation in blood pressure or a transient fall in blood pressure and a compensatory increase in heart rate. The drug should be used with caution in patients with coronary artery insufficiency and/or hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Stimate™ Nasal Spray should be used with caution in patients with conditions associated with fluid and electrolyte imbalance, such as cystic fibrosis, because these patients are prone to hyponatremia.

There have been rare reports of thrombotic events (thrombosis [9], acute cerebrovascular thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction) following desmopressin acetate injection in patients predisposed to thrombus formation. No causality has been determined; however, the drug should be used with caution in these patients.

Severe allergic reactions have been reported rarely [2,11-13]. Fatal anaphylaxis has been reported in one patient who received intravenous DDAVP® (desmopressin acetate). It is not known whether antibodies to desmopressin acetate are produced after repeated administration.

Since Stimate™ Nasal Spray is used intranasally, changes in the nasal mucosa such as scarring, edema, or other disease may cause erratic, unreliable absorption in which case Stimate™ Nasal Spray should be discontinued until the nasal problems resolve. For such situations, DDAVP® Injection should be considered.

Information for Patients:   Patients should be informed that the bottle accurately delivers 25 doses of 150 µg each. Any solution remaining after 25 doses should be discarded since the amount delivered thereafter may be substantially less than 150 µg of drug. No attempt should be made to transfer remaining solution to another bottle. Patients should be instructed to read accompanying directions on use of the spray pump carefully before use.

Patients should also be advised that if bleeding is not controlled, the physician should be contacted [2,3].

Hemophilia A

Laboratory tests for assessing patient status include levels of Factor VIII coagulant, Factor VIII antigen and Factor VIII ristocetin cofactor (von Willebrand factor) as well as activated partial thromboplastin time. Factor VIII coagulant activity should be determined before giving Stimate™ Nasal Spray for hemostasis. If Factor VIII coagulant activity is present at less than 5% of normal, Stimate™ Nasal Spray should not be relied on.

von Willebrand's Disease

Laboratory tests for assessing patient status include levels of Factor VIII coagulant activity, Factor VIII ristocetin cofactor activity, and Factor VIII von Willebrand factor antigen. The skin bleeding time may be helpful in following these patients.

Drug Interactions

Although the pressor activity of desmopressin acetate is very low, its use with other pressor agents should be done only with careful patient monitoring.

DDAVP® Injection has been used with epsilon aminocaproic acid without adverse effects.

Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Impairment of Fertility: There have been no long-term studies in animals to assess the carcinogenic, mutagenic or impairment of fertility potential of Stimate™ Nasal Spray .

Pregnancy Category B:   Reproduction studies performed in rats and rabbits by the subcutaneous route at doses up to 10 µg/kg/day have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to desmopressin acetate. This dose is equivalent to 10 times (for Factor VIII stimulation) or 38 times (for diabetes insipidus) the systemic human dose based on a mg/M 2 surface area.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Several publications of desmopressin acetate' use in the management of diabetes insipidus during pregnancy are available; these include a few anecdotal reports of congenital anomalies and low birth weight babies. However, no causal connection between these events and desmopressin acetate has been established. A 15-year, Swedish epidemiologic study of the use of desmopressin acetate in pregnant women with diabetes insipidus found the rate of birth defects to be no greater than that in the general population. As opposed to preparations containing natural hormones, desmopressin acetate in antidiuretic doses has no uterotonic action and the physician will have to weigh the therapeutic advantages against the possible risks in each case.

Nursing Mothers:   There have been no controlled studies in nursing mothers. A single study in postpartum women demonstrated a marked change in plasma, but little if any change in assayable DDAVP in breast milk following an intranasal dose of 10 µg. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Stimate™ Nasal Spray is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use:   Use in infants and children will require careful fluid intake restriction to prevent possible hyponatremia and water intoxication. Stimate™ Nasal Spray should not be used in infants younger than 11 months in the treatment of hemophilia A or von Willebrand' disease; safety and effectiveness in children between 11 months and 12 years of age has been demonstrated [2-4].

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Infrequently, DDAVP® Injection has produced transient headache, nausea, mild abdominal cramps and vulval pain. These symptoms disappeared with reduction in dosage. Occasional facial flushing has been reported with the administration of DDAVP® Injection. Infrequently, high doses of intranasal DDAVP® have produced transient headache and nausea. Nasal congestion, rhinitis and flushing have also been reported occasionally along with mild abdominal cramps. These symptoms disappeared with reduction in dosage. Nosebleed, sore throat, cough and upper respiratory infections have also been reported.

In addition to those listed above, the following have also been reported in clinical trials with Stimate™ Nasal Spray : Somnolence, dizziness, itchy or light-sensitive eyes, insomnia, chills, warm feeling, pain, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, dyspepsia, edema, vomiting, agitation and balanitis [1-4].

DDAVP® Injection (desmopressin acetate) has infrequently produced changes in blood pressure causing either a slight elevation or a transient fall and a compensatory increase in heart rate. Severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported rarely with DDAVP® Injection.

See WARNING for the possibility of water intoxication, hyponatremia and coma [10].

OVERDOSAGE

See ADVERSE REACTIONS above. In cases of overdosage, the dosage should be reduced, frequency of administration decreased, or the drug withdrawn according to the severity of the condition.

There is no known specific antidote for desmopressin acetate or Stimate™ Nasal Spray .

An oral LD 50 has not been established. An intravenous dose of 2 mg/kg in mice demonstrated no effect.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Hemophilia A and von Willebrand's Disease (Type I)

Stimate™ Nasal Spray is administered by nasal insufflation, one spray per nostril, to provide a total dose of 300 µg. In patients weighing less than 50 kg, 150 µg administered as a single spray provided the expected effect on Factor VIII coagulant activity, Factor VIII ristocetin cofactor activity and skin bleeding time [3,4]. If Stimate™ Nasal Spray is used preoperatively, it should be administered 2 hours prior to the scheduled procedure [5,8].

The necessity for repeat administration of Stimate™ Nasal Spray or use of any blood products for hemostasis should be determined by laboratory response as well as the clinical condition of the patient. The tendency toward tachyphylaxis (lessening of response) with repeated administration given more frequently than every 48 hours should be considered in treating each patient.

The nasal spray pump can only deliver doses of 0.1 mL (150 µg) or multiples of 0.1 mL. If doses other than these are required, DDAVP® Injection may be used.

The spray pump must be primed prior to the first use. To prime pump, press down 4 times. The bottle should be discarded after 25 doses since the amount delivered thereafter per spray may be substantially less than 150 µg of drug.

HOW SUPPLIED

A 2.5 mL bottle with spray pump capable of delivering 25 doses of 150 µg (NDC 0053-2453-00).

KEEP REFRIGERATED AT 2°-8°C (36°-46°F). When traveling, product will maintain stability for up to 3 weeks when stored at room temperature, 22°C (72°F).

REFERENCES

  1. RHONE-POULENC RORER STUDY RG-83884-141: An Open-Label Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Desmopressin Acetate Administration by Intranasal (1.5 mg/mL) and Intravenous Routes: A Dose-Proportionality Trial.
  2. RHONE-POULENC RORER STUDY RG-83884-142: Nasal Spray Desmopressin (DDAVP). A simple Technique for Treatment of Mild Hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease.
  3. RHONE-POULENC RORER STUDY RG-83884-143: Intranasal Desmopressin (DDAVP) by spray in Mild Hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease Type I.
  4. RHONE-POULENC RORER STUDY RG-83884-144: Evaluation of Intranasal Spray DDAVP in Patients with Mild or Moderate Hemophilia A or von Willebrand' disease: Inpatient Trial.
  5. Chistolini A, Dragoni F, Ferrari A, La Verde G, Arcieri R, Mohamud AE and Mazzucconi MG: Intranasal DDAVP: Biological and clinical evaluation in mild Factor VIII deficiency. Haemostasis, 21: 273-277, 1991.
  6. Lethagen S, Harris AS, Sjörin E and Nilsson IM: Intranasal and intravenous administration of desmopressin: Effect on FVIII/vWF, pharmacokinetics and reproducibility. Thromb. Haemost., 58:1033-1036, 1987.
  7. Lethagen S, Harris AS and Nilsson IM: Intranasal desmopressin (DDAVP) by spray in mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease type I. Blut, 60: 187-191, 1990.
  8. Rose EH and Aledort LM: Nasal spray desmopressin (DDAVP) for mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand' disease. Ann. Int. Med., 114: 563-568, 1991.
  9. Viron B, Michel C, Serrato T and Verdy E: Risque thrombogène du D.D.A.V.P. dans l'insuffisance rénale chronique (Thrombogenic risk of DDAVP in chronic renal failure). Néphrologie, 8: 225, 1987.
  10. RHONE-POULENC RORER PHARMACEUTICALS INC. ADVERSE REACTION REPORT No. 01-003827; Coma, grand mal seizure, etc.
  11. RHONE-POULENC RORER PHARMACEUTICALS INC. ADVERSE REACTION REPORT No. 01-000657; Anaphylaxis, etc.
  12. RHONE-POULENC RORER PHARMACEUTICALS INC. ADVERSE REACTION REPORT No. 01-001182; Anaphylactoid reaction.
  13. RHONE-POULENC RORER PHARMACEUTICALS INC. ADVERSE REACTION REPORT No. US-870671; Erythema, rash.

Adapted from IN-8155B, Rev. 3/95              Issued: August 1999